Srinagar: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday chaired the national Chintan Shivir of Ministers of Youth Affairs and Sports of States and Union Territories in Srinagar, calling for coordinated action, systemic reforms and grassroots execution to transform India into a global sporting powerhouse.
The three-day event, organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, focused on key policy challenges in sports, strengthening Centre-State coordination and charting a comprehensive roadmap to build a robust, inclusive and future-ready sporting ecosystem.
Addressing the inaugural session, Dr. Mandaviya said India’s sporting ambitions would be realised only through strong execution on the ground and not merely through policy documents.
“Our 10-year roadmap to becoming a global sporting powerhouse must not remain on paper, it must come alive in every playground, every district, and every young dream,” he said.
Describing the Khelo Bharat Mission as a reflection of the nation’s youth and commitment, he said, “Khelo Bharat Mission is not just a statistic, it is a reflection of the energy of our youth and the commitment of the nation.”
The Union Minister called upon states to move from policy adoption to active implementation, stressing that real progress would be measured by visible outcomes across districts, training systems and grassroots sporting ecosystems.
He highlighted the need to bridge the long-standing disconnect between State Governments and Sports Federations, urging closer alignment to create a strong and unified talent pipeline.
Dr. Mandaviya also underlined the importance of convergence with the education system for early talent identification and said physical education teachers form the backbone of the grassroots sports ecosystem.
“If even one talented child is left behind due to lack of opportunity, it is not just a personal loss, it is a loss for the entire nation,” he said.
He further said sports serve as a transformative tool, particularly in regions such as Jammu and Kashmir and other challenging areas, contributing to social harmony and national integration.
Addressing systemic gaps, he called for regular certification and upgradation of coaches, scientific training of athletes and stronger capacity building in sports administration.
“When infrastructure, talent identification, and trained manpower come together as one unbroken chain, Olympic podiums will follow,” he said, stressing the need to connect grassroots participation with elite performance through a structured pathway.
Dr. Mandaviya also launched the YES-PE (Young Engagement in Sports and Physical Education) programme by Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education for students of Classes 9 to 12 to promote sports participation, sportsmanship and leadership.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who also attended the Chintan Shivir, praised the vision of making India a powerhouse of sports and emphasised the importance of nurturing a sports culture at the grassroots beginning in villages and local communities.
“True champions rarely emerge solely from elite academies; they are discovered in small towns, neighbourhoods, and local clubs, where academies later refine their raw talent,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He added that sports must become woven into everyday life, extending beyond stadiums and competitions to thrive in neighbourhoods, streets and open fields as part of daily routines.
The Lieutenant Governor urged Sports Ministers and sports administrators to ensure that physical education teachers in schools receive proper recognition, respect and resources.
“Physical education teachers in schools are often undervalued compared to their counterparts in science or mathematics. This mindset must change. Every Physical Education teacher plays a vital role in India’s journey toward becoming a sporting superpower,” he said.
He stressed that beyond medals, sports must be used as a force for social transformation.
“Infrastructure alone is not enough; it must be aligned with purposeful initiatives. Schools, communities, local administrations, and families must collaborate to create ecosystems where every young athlete finds a platform,” he said.
He further said the country’s strength lies in harmonising national vision with local execution so that central schemes reach villages full of talent. He also called for sharing best practices across states and building scientific, accessible and unbiased systems to identify and support rural youth talent.
The Lieutenant Governor also urged the corporate sector to step forward and support the creation of a sustainable and inclusive sports ecosystem, saying governments alone cannot achieve this national mission.
“Corporates, with their resources and social responsibility, must step forward not merely as sponsors but as co-architects of this national mission,” he said.
Secretary Sports Hari Ranjan Rao, while welcoming participants, described the Chintan Shivir as a platform for collective reflection and action.
“This gathering is not merely a conference, it is a collective moment of reflection, resolve, and renewed commitment,” he said.
The Chintan Shivir included thematic sessions on medal strategy, policy coordination, clean and safe sport, talent identification and athlete development. More than 15 State Sports Ministers, along with eminent sports personalities including Abhinav Bindra, Pullela Gopichand, Gagan Narang and Adille Sumariwalla, participated in the discussions.
Sports Ministers from various states appreciated the athlete-centric approach and said the model could be replicated across regions to strengthen India’s sporting ecosystem.
The deliberations focused on strengthening infrastructure, improving coaching systems, ensuring ethical and safe sporting environments, and building a scientific, technology-driven talent pipeline integrated across schools, academies and elite training centres.
Participants also stressed the need for continuous monitoring, evaluation and sharing of best practices so that policy intent translates into measurable on-ground impact, reaffirming the importance of a unified and coordinated approach involving the Centre, States and all stakeholders.
